Page:Destruction of the Greek Empire.djvu/399

 CHAEACTEE OF CONSTANTINE 357 not considering the question of ultimate success, he never wavered, never omitted any precaution to deserve victory, but fought on heroically to the end and finally sacrificed his life for his people, his country and Christendom. The exact spot where he lies buried is unknown, but, in the bold metaphor, quoted as already old by the great consort of Justinian, he judged that ' the empire was an excellent winding-sheet.' 1 His death was a fitting and honourable end of the Eastern Koman Empire. 1 &s KaAbv £vrd<f)iop v QaffiXela i<rri. The conclusion of Theodora's speech as recorded by Procopius.